SINGAPORE — Just as they did when they won the National Schools “B” Division (Under-17) rugby title last year, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) defeated arch-rivals St Andrew’s Secondary School (SAS) Thursday evening (April 7) with a late winner at the Physical and Sports ­Education Branch field to defend their crown.

ACS(I) had beaten SAS 12-9 last year with a converted try in the final seconds of the game after trailing 5-9.

This year, it was just as hard to separate the two sides, who battled it out to a 12-12 stalemate at full-time. In the end, it was ACS(I) winger Benjamin Poey who emerged the hero when he scored the winning try in sudden death for a 17-12 win.

Cheered on by old boys of both schools, who packed the stands, ACS(I) drew first blood when hooker Benjamin Lim scored a try in the seventh minute from a rolling maul to put his team 5-0 up at half-time. ACS(I) then surged to a 12-0 lead ­after the break when flanker Muhammad Nur Solihin scored a try from a ruck in the 44th minute, which Tristian Yeow converted. 

But the Saints did not give up and were eventually rewarded for their persistence. Looking more composed in the second half than  before the break, they gave themselves a confidence boost when hooker Philip Distor Joseph scored a try in the 53rd minute. Captain and out-centre Viviyan Philip converted, and Saints No 8 Ang Seow Pinn ensured a nail-biting finish when he scored a try three minutes later to level the score.

In sudden death, the teams play two 10-minute halves, but the team that scores first wins. However, ACS(I) winger Poey ensured that would not be necessary when he latched on to a pass in the third minute and went on a lung-bursting 50m run to score the winner as several Saints players sank to their knees in despair.  

“Rugby is about scoring under pressure and when it matters most, and I just couldn’t believe we did it,” said Benjamin, who was mobbed by his team-mates and schoolmates who ran on to the field in celebration as the whistle went off. 

“The rivalry between ACS(I) and the Saints is a huge thing that has gone on for so many years, and I just enjoy it so much.”

The 16-year-old also downplayed his winning try. “I wouldn’t call ­myself a hero,” he said. “It was a team effort, and I am glad we had the mental strength to emerge as winners, even as Saints were rallying a comeback that got us really nervous.” 

According to ACS(I) head coach Adrian Chong, what motivated his team was their 0-22 thrashing by Saints in a preliminary round match in February. “Our team has come a long way since that drubbing,” he said. “In this final, we were able to carry our plans on tightly marking their key players such as Viviyan Philip and Timothy Pan. We are fully aware of the threat that Viviyan can pose.” 

For Saints skipper Viviyan, the result was a “heartbreaking end” to his final year at SAS. 

“I am disappointed that I did not convert the try in the last few minutes, which might have won us the game,” he said. 

“I hope that we all learn from our mistakes, as we move on to play at a higher level in the future.” 

Despite the defeat, Saints assistant coach Simon Etheredge said his boys can hold their heads up high. 

“For the past two, three years, our clashes with ACS(I) have ­always been too close, and I don’t think you can say we are inferior to them,” he said. “We will fight back.”